The Boston Red Sox haven’t scored in a week.
It’s been a poor start to the second half for Boston’s offense, as the Los Angeles Angels blanked the Red Sox in each of the teams’ first two games coming out of the Major League Baseball All-Star break. The Red Sox will look to snap their 18-inning scoreless drought Sunday against Hector Santiago.
First baseman Mike Napoli and right fielder Shane Victorino will return to the lineup with a left-handed starter on the hill. Napoli and Victorino both sat Saturday night, with Brock Holt and Alejandro De Aza starting at first base and right field, respectively, in Boston’s 3-0 loss.
Eduardo Rodriguez, a fellow lefty, will oppose Santiago. The 22-year-old rookie allowed just two runs on five hits over 6 1/3 innings his last time out against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. He enters Sunday with a 5-2 record and a 3.59 ERA in nine starts this season.
The complete lineups for Sunday’s Red Sox-Angels matchup are below.
RED SOX (42-49)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Shane Victorino, RF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (5-2, 3.59 ERA)
ANGELS (50-40)
Johnny Giavotella, 2B
Kole Calhoun, RF
Mike Trout, CF
Albert Pujols, DH
Erick Aybar, SS
David Freese, 3B
C.J. Cron, 1B
Chris Iannetta, C
Daniel Robertson, LF
Hector Santiago, LHP (6-4, 2.33 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports Images
